Panel manufacture



M h 1942- c. J. DAVIES PANEL MANUFACTURE Filed June 13, 1938 aSheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CLARENCE J.DAVIES Y www,w

ATTORNEYS March 3, 1942.

c. J. DAVIES PANEL MANUFACTURE Filed June 13, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet ZINVENTOR CtARENCE J. DAVIES ATTORNEYS mom 06 3 u ll March 3, 1942. c JDAV|E$ PANEL MANUFACTURE Filed June 15, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N VENTOR March 3, 1942. c J DAVlEs 2,274,951

PANEL MANUFACTURE Filed June 15, 1958 8 Shets-Shet 4 8 N 'INVENTOR I #1m 3 $4 CLARENCE J.DAV|ES ATTORNEYS March 3, 1942. c, J DAWES PANELMANUFACTURE Filed June 15, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR CLARENCEJ.OAVI ES BY mm,

WKM

ATTORNEYS March 3, 1942. c DAVlEs f 2,274,951

PANEL. MANUFACTURE INVENTOR CLARENCE J.DAVIE$ ATTORNEYS March 3, 1942.c, DAv|E$ 2,274,951

PANEL MANUFACTURE Filed June 13, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 I27 m i l} I28 303 l2l I 5; 26 I24 FIG I? m I I22 I I g I20 UL h M' i g "6 n? L I A ummmmW {All 400 4|5 FIG.| 9.

INVENTOR CLARENCE J.DAVIES ATTORNE 3 March 3, 1942.

C. J. DAVIES PANEL MANUFACTURE Filed June 13, 1958 FIG23.

8 Sheets-Sheet 8 CLARENCE J.oAvu -:s

- mmiiu,ww

ATTORN S Patented Mar. 3, 1942 I UNITED STATES. PATENT. OFFICE PANELMANUFACTURE Clarence J. Davies, Detroit, Mich., assignor to NationalAutomotive Fibres, Inc., Detroit, Mich, a

corporation of Delaware Application June 13, 1938, Serial No. 213,515

31 Claims. (Cl.154 -1) .utility of the panel board. It has accordinglybeen the practice to cut padding material to preformed shape and toapplythesame to the panel board before covering the board withupholstery material. In certain cases it has alsobeen the practice toapply padding material to panel boards by frabricating a continuous webof padding material, for example, cotton fibers, applying an adhesivecoated panelboard to the web of padding material and brushing awaypadding material from around the edges of the panel board.

In some cases it has been found desirable to apply padding material topredetermined portions only of the panel board in order to provideportions of the panel board uncovered with padding material, for thepurpose of applying the decoration to the upholstery material. Morespecifically, it has been the practice to remove padding material fromcertain designated and predetermined portions of the padded board forthe purpose of applying preformed risers or strips of deformablematerial which are adapted to cooperate with the upholstery material informing relief designs therein.

In the manufacture of panel boards of this type in production, it is,obvious that to cut padding material to predetermined shape, if ,thepadding material is selfsustaining in form such as for example, bluewadding, is an expensive process and requires great care in causing thepadding material to register exactly with the designated portions of theboard which are to be covered. A relatively large number of panels are.spoiled due to the fact that the padding material as applied inproduction does not register exactly.

The present invention provides means for apding boards and is soconstructed and arranged that padding material after applying mustregister with great exactness with the designated areas of the panelboard. Briefly described, the present machine involves a knife-edgeddie, the

. in exactly predetermined position on the panel boards at intervals.

plying padding material automaticallyto padoutline of which correspondsto the outline of line knife edge are provided a plurality of additionalknife edges which are adapted to cut predetermined designs in thepadding material.

on the die for elevating the portions of the pad-' ding material whichare to be applied to the panel board above the plane of the knife edgesand at the same time the portions within the outline of the paddingmaterial which are not to be applied to the panel board remain depressedbelow the level of the knife edges, or at least substantially at thelevel of the knife edges.

The panel board is then automatically fed in timed relation into contactwith the elevated portions of the padding material. A panelboard ispreviously coated with a suitable adhesive and when the panel boardengages the padding material, the padding material which is to beapplied to the board is released in timed relation from the die memberand is thus applied board.

The machine is entirely automatic in operation and requires only thereplacement of completed padded panel boards with adhesive coated panelThe padding material is supplied in continuous or roll form and isintermittently fed over the stationary die member.

With the foregoing brief description of the operation of my machine inmind, the objects of the invention will be apparent.

It is a broad object of my invention to provide a machine for separatingsheet material into separate classified areas.

It is a further object of my invention to remove predetermined areasfrom sheet material and position them separately for further processing.Specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide a machine forcutting and applying sheet material to designated areas of an area.

It is a further object of my invention to cut padding material into apredetermined pattern by means of a die member and to apply the same toa panel board without the intermediate step 'in predetermined relationfrom a single constantly rotating driving member.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the followingdetailed description and when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a right hand side elevation of my improvedmachine;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a left hand elevation of my machine;

Fig. 4 is a front view of my machine;

Fig. 5 is a rear view of my machine;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary top elevation of a part of my machine,with parts broken away for clearness;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line I'I of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a partial section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 09, Fig. 2

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a section on the line I I-II of Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line I2-I2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the parts shown in section in Fig. 12; I

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary enlarged section on the line I i-I4 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 15 is a detail elevation of the stationary upright frame showingcutting die mounted thereon;

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the upright frame shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one timing mechanism;

Fig. 18 is a front view of an ornamental die;

Fig. 19 is a perspective of a padded panel;

Fig. 20 is a side elevation of a detail of the timing mechanism;

Fig. 21 is a bottom plan view of the part shown in Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a side elevation of another detail of the timing mechanism;

1 Fig. 23 is a bottom plan view of the part shown in Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a section of another detail of the timing mechanism; a Fig.25 is a side elevation of the part shown in Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary view of the other timing mechanism assembly;

Fig. 27 is an enlarged detail of the panel adjusting means; and i Fig.28 is an enlarged detail view of the air valve and control means.

adapted to be reciprocated vertically in timed relation to thehorizontal reciprocation of the panel support 200. The driving means forall the mov able parts of the machine comprise a motor I05 carried onthe base I00, which constantly rotates a sheave I06. A second sheaveI0'i is carried between the' two upright frame portions I03 by a shaftI00. The sheave i0l rotates freely around the shaft I08 and is adaptedto be positively connected thereto by the clutch generally indicated at500. It is desired during the operation of the machine for the shaft I00to rotate constantly at a uniform speed and for this shaft to transmitintermittent rotation to the shaft H0 and the panel drive member III.The rotation of these parts is accurately predetermined by a mechanismsubsequently to be described, but it may be stated here that duringconstant rotation of the shaft .I08, the shaft IIO will make onecomplete revolution and stop, the panel drive member III will make onecomplete revolution and stop, and during the next equal interval, theshaft IIO and the panel drive member III are both stationary. Themechanism for causing vertical reciprocation of the roll assembly 300 isbest seen in Figs. 1, 3, 12 and 13. The brackets 30I are secured to theuprights I03 and have formed thereon upstanding apertured lugs 302 towhich are trunnioned links 303. Intermediate links 300 are adapted tointerconnect links 303 and th carriage 305 which supports the cuttingroll member 306, and for this purpose the links 304 are connected as bypins 301 to the links 303, and are correspondingly 'pivotally connectedat 308 to the carriages 305. I

The link 304 is provided with an elongated slot 303- in which is mountedfor relative sliding motion a block 3I0 shown in detail in Figs. 12 and13. Block 3I0 is provided with interconnected oil passages 3H and aconventional oiler 3I2 for constantly lubricating the bearing surfacesbe- The machine shown as a whole in Figs. 1 to This constructionprovides a rigid frame assembly for supporting the moving partssubsequently to be described. The moving parts comprise essentially apanel support or carrier 200 which is adapted to reciprocatehorizontally toward and away'from the upright I02, and roll assembly 300tween the block 3I0 and the slot 309. The block 0I0 is centrallyapertured as at M3 in Fig. 13 for, connection to a crank 3I2.

The carriages 305 are mounted on ways 3 for vertical reciprocation onthe frame or bolster I02. Supported between the carriages and rotatablyjoumaled therein is the cutting roll 306 which, as best seen in Fig. 4,is made up of a plurality of coaxial sections which may be of anysuitable material, but which preferably are formed of metal. Thecarriages 305 and the cut ting roll 306 are positioned so as to rollsubstantially tangent to the knife edges of the die later to bedescribed.

As the cutter roll carriage 305 reciprocates ver tically, the roll 306is positively rotated so that its surface has a true rollingrelationship with the die. For this purpose a vertical rack 3! iscarried by the frame, and a gear 360 i keyed to the roll supportingspindle. The gear 360 has a pitch diameter equal to the diameter of theroll. The roll is driven in relation to the die so that it presses thepadding material into the die without slipp ge.

Chains 310 and I'll. (Fig. 5) are connected to suitable counterweightsto balance the weight of the roll 306 and its carriage, being led forthis purpose over suitable idler sprockets.

The panel support generally indicated at 200 comprises a panel slide 20Iwhich is mounted for horlzontal'reciprocation toward and away from thedie member on ways 203. Secured to the under side of the panel slide "Iis 8. depending lug 202 to which is secured one end of-the link 204, theother end of which is secured to a crank 205 carried by shaft 200. Thedriving member III, best seen in Fig. 2, carries a sprocket 201 and asecond sprocket-203 is keyed to shaft 206. The sprockets 201 and 208 areinterconnected by a chain 209 and rotation of the sprocket 201 willcause a corresponding rotation of the crank 205 which will .result incontrolled reciprocation of the panel slide 20! toward and away from thedie members.

Means are also provided for automatically feeding a web of paddingmaterial downwardly over the exposed face of the die during the downwardreciprocation of the cutting roll, generally indicated at 300. Mechanismfor accomplishing this result is shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. A conveyorbelt 320 is supported adjacent the top of the upright I02 and acontinuous web of padding 4 to be, described. Rigidly supported bybrackets 323 on the uprights I02 is a roll 324 which is adapted to bespring pressed toward the conveyor belt to compress the web of cottonorother pad- '32? supported on the base I00 of the machine.

This chain is discontinuous .and inserted in the chain is a square rod328. Supports 329 are carried by the cutting roll carriage and a notchedbar 330 is supported in a vertical position intermediate the supports329. Adjustable blocks 33! are carried by the notched bar 330 and arevertically adjustable thereon. Each adjustable block 33! is providedwith a square clearance hole through which is adapted to reciprocate thesquare rod 328 previously referred to.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that upon downwardmotion of the carriage 305 the blocks 33! pass freely over the squarerod 328 until such time as the lower block strikes abutment 333 on rod329, at which time the chain 322 is moved downwardly, rotating sprockets32! and 321. Rotation of the sprocket 32! is adapted to rotate shaft 335in a direction to cause forward feeding of the conveyor 320, andcorresponding downward feed of the padding material across the face ofthe die member, the relationship between the feed of the paddingmaterial and the cutting roll being such that the free edge of thepadding material follows short distance behind the cutting roll.

When the cutting roll reaches the bottom of its travel and reverses, theblocks 33! will slide over the square rod 328 until such time as theupper block 33! engages the upper projection 333 on the rod. At thistime the direction of travel of the chain 322 will be reversed. with acorresponding reversal in the direction of rotation of the sprocket 32!.However, means are provided to prevent this reverse rotation of thesprocket 32! from causing backward feed of the padding material. A

As best seen in Figs. 6 and '1, the sprocket 32! is' freely journaled onshaft 335. A one-way clutch member is provided comprising a housing 336which is secured to and adapted to retate with the shaft 335, a key 335'being provided for this purpose. The sprocket 32! is mounted for freerotation on the shaft 335. Keyed to the sprocket 32! is a driving member331 having portions 338 extending into an annular chamber within thehousing 336. Portions 338 are substantially radial projections formed byrecesses 339 in the periphery of the member 331. These recesses have aflat bottom 340 forming a driving surface and a substantially radialsurface 34!. Received within each recess 339 are rollers 342, each urgedaway from the abutment 34! as by a compression spring 343 receivedwithin the recess formed within the member 331.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 7, if the driving member 331 which iskeyed to the sprocket 32! is rotated in a clockwise direction, therollers 342 will be urged away from abutments 34! by the combined actionof compression springs 343 and friction with the housing 330.

The chambers 339 taper to a smaller cross sec- From the foregoingdescription 'it will be apparent that upon downward motion of thecutting roll a predetermined and adjustable length of padding materialis fed downwardly over the face of the die, and that upon reversal ofthe in a corresponding rotation of gear H1.

cutting roll during which time the cutting'roll traverses the face ofthe die in cutting relation, the feed of padding material isinterrupted.

The mechanism which drives the cutting roll and the panel slide in timedrelation will now be described. This mechanism is best seen in Figs. 2,9, 10, 11, 1'1 and 20 to 26. The gear IISis adapted to continuouslyrotate, being driven by suitable speed reduction means II4. This resultsI Referring now to Fig. 1'1, it will be noted that the gear 1 is keyedor otherwise secured, as indicated at II3 to a coaxial member 9 which isadapted to turn freely on the shaft IIO. Member I!!! has an annularseries of gear teeth I20 formed thereon. Member I!!! beyond the teethI20 has a reduced hub portion I2! upon which is mounted an annulartoothed member I22, the outside diameter of the member ,I 22 beingsomewhat small er, as shown in Fig. 17, than the toothed portion a ofmember II9. A bracket I23 is carried by a frame portion !04 and supportsa pair of small pinions I24 and I25. Pinions I24 and I25 are securedtogether as by a locking pin and are adapted to rotate as a unit, beingmounted for this purpose on a spindle I20. As indicated in Fig. 17,pinion I25 is substantially smaller than pinion I24.

These pinions are adapted to mesh constantly with tooth portion I20 andthe toothed member I22. It will be evident that annular toothed memberI22 will be driven at a substantially different speed from member I I9.

The shaft I I0 carries a rotatable driving mem- =ber I21 provided with arecess I28 therein, a spring pressed driving key I29 being receivedwithin the recess and urged by the spring in an outward direction, thatis, a direction causing it to bear against the hub I2! and the annulartoothed member I22. Driving member I21 is connected by driving sleeveIII, to drive sprocket 201, and is mounted for free rotation on the foreadapted to rotate the shaft and by mechanism previously described, tocause vertical reciprocation of the cutting roll.

Since these assemblies are substantially iden- Formed in the peripheryof the hub is a driving slot I30 having one wall thereof interrupted andprovided with an inclined surface I3I. The annularmember I22 which isadapted to fit over and rotate freely upon the hub I2I has inclined camsurfaces I32 and I33 and an intermediate low portion I34 formed in theedge thereof against which the driving member I21 is adapted to bear.

The driving'member I21 shown in Figs. 24 and 25 is provided with aninternal groove I35 for receiving a key to connect the driving memher tothe shaft 0', A recess I36 is formed in the periphery of the drivingmember and is adapted to be closed by aplate I31, the plate forming achamber therein which is closed except for a top opening as best seen inFig. 26. Received within the recess I36 is a spring pressed driving keyI29, the spring best shown in Fig. 26 urging the key outwardly from therecess and into tween the keyand its slot, the apparatus issubstantially in condition of no load.

- It is necessary that the panel be brought into registry with the diemember with great nicety, and for this purpose a secondary adjustment isprovided on the panel slide, as best seen in Figs. 1 to 4 and 27. Asbest seen in Fig. 4, panel support 20I is mounted in ways 203 in thelegs 250 of the frame. These legs are bolted to the base I00, and areinterconnected by tie rods 252, over which are tubular spacers I. Rods252 carry nuts 253 for rigidly securing the parts in position. The panelsupport is adjustable along the ways so that upon actuation of thesupport toward the die, the panel may be brought into registry with thedie with great accuracy. As'best seen in Fig. 27, a bracket 23I issecured to the base of the panel slide and an adjustment bar 232 ispivoted as at 233, adjacent the upper portion of *the bracket 23I. Aslot 234 is provided in thebase of the panel slide and the adjustmentbar 232 depends therethrough and is connected at its lower end to link2042 An eccentric shaft 235 having an eccentric portion 236 is journaledin the bracket 23I and extends through an elongated slot 231 in theadjustment bar 232. A clamping bearing 240 is secured to the base of thepanel slide and has a clamping bolt 24! carried driving engagement withthe driving slot I30 on the hub of member I I9.

Due to the driving and driven relationship between gears I20 and I22, itwill be apparent that gear I22 is driven at a diflerent speed from gearI20. Due to this difference in relative motion, the low portion I34 onmember I22 will register with the driving slot I30 in the hub I2fl onlyat predetermined points in the rotation of the two members. in gearsI20, I22, I24 and I25, the elongated low portion I34 of the annularmember I22 may be brought into registry with the driving recess I30 ofthe hub H0 at some redetermined. point in the rotation of the memberi2I. Upon every predetermined revolution of member N9, the low portionI34 of annular member I22 will-coincide with th driving slot I30 of thehub I2! as the driving slot reaches the spring pressed driving key I29,At this time, therefore, under the impulsion of the spring'previouslyreferred to, the driving key will drop into the driving recess I30.thereby locking driving member Hi and the hub iZI together. The lengthof the low portion I34 of the annular member I122 is so selected thatthelow portion E34 will continue to coincide with the driving slot I 30 forsom predetermined portion of a revolution of hub I25, in the presentinstance the relationship being such that inclined cam surface I33 willforce driving key Hit out of driving colnnec= tion with the driving slot539B at the completion of a single revolution of the member HQ.

At this time attention is directed to the fact- By selecting the numberof teeth that driving member's 92f and I28 are each adapted to drive anultimate driven member through the medium of cranks and that at themoment of engagement and disengagement be= tween the driving key I20 orH29 and the driving slot H30 or 930 respectively, the cranks aresubstantially perpendicular to the members which they drive. Thisresults in the fact that at the moment of engagement and disengagementbethereby. The eccentric shaft 235 has an actuating arm 242extendinglaterally therefrom. It"

The die member, best seen in Figs. 14 and 18,

is rigidly supported upon the frame of the machine. The die memberproper comprises a platen 6H0 carried by frame part I02, and chase 60Ewhich are clamped together by suitable clamping means indicated at 602,Fig. 14. The forward face of the die may conveniently be formed ofblocks 603 of wood or other suitable material separated by knife edges604 which extend a substantial distance above the forward face of theblocks 603. It will be understood that the knife edges 6061 are arrangedin any predetermined or fanciful design, one of which is indicated inFig. 18, and include top cut oil rules 620 shown dotted .in Fig. 15.

As seen in Fig. 19, which illustrates a panel with the cut paddingmaterial assembled thereon, it is desired to cut the padding material inthe die into the predetermined design and to separate the same intoportions, some of which are to be applied to the panel board and some ofwhich are not to be applied to the panel board. For this purpose, aplurality of resilient blocks 6% which conveniently may be formed ofrubber, are placed between certain of the die members, the arrangementbeing such that all areas of padding material which are to be applied tothe panel board are backed with the resilient blocks referred to.

llhe blocks as shown in Figure 14 are prefer ably thick enough toelevate sections of padding material completely out of the die recesses,but

for certain types and thicknesses of material it of the support, as willbe obvious. In such case, of course, the blocks will be of lessthickness than the depth of recess. In all cases, however, it ispreferred to elevate the outer surface of the sections of paddingmaterial a substantial distance above the plane of the knife edges.

At 606 in Fig. 14, is indicated a section of padding material which isnot to be applied to the panel board and as indicated in this figure,the resilient block 605 is omitted. The die member is provided with aninterior chamber 601 which has a plurality of interconnecting conduitsor passages 608, the arrangement being such that passages are providedbetween the chamber 601 and each area of the panel board adapted to cuta-separate section of the padding material. It

will be understood that a plurality of such conduits 608 are providedfor elongated areas such as extend horizontally across the panel, asillustrated in Fig. 18. The chamber 601 is connected by a pipe 609 to asource of fluid pressure and to a source of fluid suction. Automaticmeans later to be described are adapted to connect the chamber 601 tothe source of fluid pressure or the source of suction in timed relationto the operation of the machine.

The means for controlling the air supply to the chamber 601 is bestindicated in Figs. 3, 14 and 28. As best seen in Fig. 3, an air valvegenerally indicated at I50 is carried by the frame of the machine.Conduit I5I connects to a vacuum tank, conduit I52 connects to apressure tank, and conduit I53 connects tothe T fitting I54 indicated inFig. '5, for supplying air pressure or suction. to the die member. Anactuating arm I55 is carried by the valve and is adapted to be actuatedby a finger I56 on the cutting roll.

Arm I55 has three positions, the horizontal or full' line position beingthe neutral position in Arm I55 remains latched in this position duringupward movement of the cutting roll. An operating arm I5! is secured tobracket I58, the opposite end of the operating arm being connected tothe arm I55, by pins shown in Fig. 28 received in slots I55. Operatingarm I51. has cam surfaces I58 and I59 formed thereon and the panel slideI carries a roller I60 adapted to engage these cam surfaces. Roller I60is carried by an arm I6I which is spring pressed in clockwise directionas seen in Fig. 3, against an abutment I62. Upon motion of the panelslide 20I to. the left, the roller I60 engages the cam surface I58 andthe cam roller arm I6I is rotated against spring pressure in acounterclockwise direction, thus riding up over the portion of theoperating arm I51 intermediate the cam surface I58 and I59.

A trip I63 is carried by the panel slide 20I and l is adapted, atsubstantially the instant the panel slide reaches forward position, toengage the release arm I64 carried by the air valve. Arm I64 acts torelease lever I55 to its neutral position.

This has the effect of disconnecting conduits I5I and I53 and cuttingoff suction from the interior of the die member. The panel slideinstantly reverses and during return motion roller I60 engages camsurface I59, thereby depressing operating arm I51, since the roller armI6I is at this time forced against the supporting block I62. Lowering ofthe operating arm I 51 causes the valve arm I55 to move to upperposition, thereby interconnecting conduits I 52 and I53 and supplyingfluid pressure to the interior of the die member. The valve I50 is soarranged that in this position the arm I55 is not latched and arm I55will remain in pressure supply position only so long as the roller I60rides over the high portion of the .cam surface on operating arm I51. Assoon as the roller I60 drops off the cam surface I58, the valve arm I55returns to neutral position, thereupon disconnecting conduits I52 andI53 and shutting off the supply of fluid pressure to the die member.

In order to start and stop operation of the automatic mechanism, aclutch 500 is provided and the operating mechanism associated. therewithis best seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 8. As best seen inFig. 8, a sheave I0! issupported for free rotation on the shaft I08, for this purpose beingkeyed to a bearing member 50I which is mounted for rotation by meansincluding suitable roller bearings 502. This structure also carries anannular member 503 formed with an annular projection 504; Extendinginwardly from the lateral projection 504 and supported therefrom bysuitable securing means indicated at 505 is a clutch bearing ring 506.Keyed to the shaft I08 as indicated at 501 is a member 508 whichhas aradially extending bearing portion 509 carried thereby. The member 508also carries a second radially extending bearing member 5I0, this memberbeing mounted for axial movement relative to member 509. A spring 5 isreceived between members 509 and 5I0 and tends to cause relativemovement between these members to separated position.

Also carried by member 508 are a number of levers 5I2 having projections5I3 thereon. Levers 5I2 are adapted to be moved about pivots 5 and whenso moved projections 5I3 force member 5I0 toward member 509, clampingthe bearing ring 506 therebetween and thus establishing drivingconnection between sheave I01 and shaft I08. Levers 5I2 are connected bylinks 5I5 to a movable collar 5I6 which carries pins 5" projectingtherefrom.

Carried by the frame of the machine adjacent the panel slide is anoperating lever which is secured to a horizontal shaft 52I having alaterally extending arm 522. A rod 523 is secured to the arm 522 andextends adjacent the lower portion of the frame to a point substantiallyunder a clutch 500. A vertical clutch shifter shaft 524 is supported bythe frame between upper and lower bearings and is connected by a crankarm 524' (Fig. 5) to connecting rod 523. At the upper portion of theshaft 524 is provided a slotted crank arm 525 best seen in Fig. 2. Thisarm is adapted to receive pins 5 in the slots thereof. It is thereforeevident that motion of the lever 520 causes rotation of the slottedcrank 525 and a corresponding engagement or disengagement of the clutchat will.

In Fig. 19 I have illustrated a panel with padding material appliedthereto. The panel 400 whichmay be of any suitable shape, according tothe use to which it is to be put, has areas and 401 applied thereto,leaving intermediate spaces therebetween indicated at 508, 309, M0, lII,I2 and M3. It will also be noticed that around the periphery of thepadding material are areas I5 to which no padding material is applied.As previously described, the panel board is coated with adhesive andwhen removed from the machine, the padding material in the accuratelylocated areas referred to adheres thereto. By comparing Figs. 18 and 19,it will be seen that the knife edges 604 conform to the design which isto be imparted to the padding material. The panel portion as illustratedin Fig. 19 is ready for further processing which includes covering thesame with upholstery material, forcing the upholstery material into therecesses 408 and H3 inclusive and securing the upholstery materialtherein to the panel board in some convenient manner, such for exampleas by an adhesive, by sewing, by vulcanization or other means.

Operation The complete operation of my improved machine will now bedescribed. Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. l.and that the motor I105 is energized but that the clutch 500 isdisconnected, the following are the procedural steps in the operation ofthe machine. A panel board is placed on the forward face of the panelslide 2M, suitable fixtures being provided to accurately. predeterminethe position of the panel on the support. The lever 520 is now movedcausing the clutch member 500 to be engaged and to impart rotation fromthe motor to shaft I08. The speed reducer II I reduces the speed ofrotation of the shaft I08 and rotates the gear IIB (see Fig. 2) at apredetermined relatively slow speed. Rotation of the gear H8 causesrotation. of gear III meshed therewith and corresponding rotation of thetoothed portion I20 and I20 of the member II9 (see Fig. 17) and acorresponding more rapid rotation of the annular members I22 aand I22.The lower portion I34 of annular member I22 will register with thedriving slot I in the hub I2I' and the driving key I29 will be springpressed into locking engagement with the driving slot I30. This willcause rotation of the driving member ermost position and connecting theinterior of the die 600 to suction. Upward motion of the cutting rollfollows and this upward motion is transmitted to chain 322, after apredetermined upward movement of the cutting roll, the motion of thechain 322 causing a corresponding reverse rotation of the sprocket 32Iwhich, however, is ineffective to cause a corresponding reverse rotationof the shaft 335, due to the oneway clutch mechanism illustrated in Fig.'7. Upward motion of the cutting roll over the knife edges 604 of thedie member 600, compresses the padding material against the knife edgesand causes a severance of the padding material along all of the knifeedges. The blocks of resilient material 605 are compressed as thecutting roll passes thereover, but as soon as the cutting roll I haspassed each block of resilient material, the

block expands, forcing the out padding material outwardly beyond theplane of the knife edges. Portions of the padding material which are notto be applied to the panel board as illustrated at 606 in Fig. 14,remain within the die between the knife edges. It should be recalled atthis time that during this process the interior of the die is connectedto suction so that the padding material even though expelled beyond theplane of the knife edges between blocks 605, will be retained againstthe faces of the blocks in substantially undistorted condition bysuction.

When the cutting roll reaches its uppermost position, the crank 3I2 ismoved substantially parallel to the slot 309 so that there issubstantially no load on the parts. At this time the annular member I22has rotated relative to the driving slot I30, such that a cam surfaceI33 forces the key I29'out of the driving slot. The driving member I21thereupon comes to rest. At the same time the driving member I21 isconnected to the driving slot' I30 in the hub I2I by means of its springpressed key and begins its single rotation. Rotation of this member iscommunicated to shaft 206 (see Fig. 2) by means of sprockets20'l, 208and chain 209. Rotation of the shaft 206 is transmitted to the crank205, and by means of the link or connecting rod 204 this motion causesthe panel slide 200 to move first toward and then away from the die 600.As

I2I' shown beneath the gear II! in Fig. 2.

Driving member I2'I' will, as previously described, make one completerotation and since this member is keyed to'the shaft IIO, shaft IIO willalso make one complete rotation and stop.

Rotation of the shaft IIO through the crank 3I2 will cause links 304 tomove first downwardly and then upwardly, the toggle arrangement providedby the links 303 and 304 permitting cutting roll assembly 300 to move ina vertical path over the face of the die member 600. The cutting rollassembly 300 will move downwardly a. predetermined distance until theblock 33I (see Fig. 4) engages the projection 333, at which timecontinued motion of the cutting roll assembly will cause movement of thechain 322 and corresponding motion of the shaft 335 driven by theone-way clutch assembly shown in detail in Fig. 7. Rotation of the shaft335 causes corresponding rotation of the feed roll 320 and results inthe downward feed of padding material over the face of the die 600, thelower edge of the padding material being always slightly above thecutting roll assembly.

When the cutting roll assembly reaches: its

lowermost position, finger I00, seen in Fig. 3,

strikesvalve lever I55, moving the same to lowpreviously described,means are provided for accurately adjusting the position of the sliderelative to the-die in its forwardmost position.

As the panel slide reaches its forwardmost position, trip I63 strikesthe lever I64, releasing the valve lever I55, interrupting thecommunication between the die member and the vacuum supply. Thisreleases the padding material, and

such portions thereof as are projecting outwardly by resilient blocks605 engage the surface of the panel board in exactly predeterminedposition and adhere thereto. The portions of the padding material whichare not to be applied to the panel board remain within the confines ofthe die member between adjacent knife edges thereon. Upon return of thepanel slide to its inoperative position, the roller I60 (seen in Fig.

described mechanism is particularly adapted to be operated incombination with a fabricating machine which fabricates a continuoussheet of paddingmaterial and feeds the same forwardly over the conveyor320 to the cutting mechanism. The unused portions of the paddingmaterial returned through the conduit 35I may then be refabricated, sothat the whole comprises a closed system.

As the panel slide 200 reaches its inoperative or rearmost position, thecamsurface I33 on the annular member I22 forces the driving pinout ofengagement with the driving slot I30 and the panel support comes torest.

By properly selecting the limits of the depressed portion I34 andproperly selecting the number of teeth and gears I20, I22, I24 and I25,any desired cycle of operation may be obtained. For example, immediatelyupon the panel slide 200 coming to rest, the parts may be so relatedthat the cutter roll starts its next cycle of operation. During thiscycle of operation the completed panel may be removed from the panelslide and a second panel suitably coated with adhesive may besubstituted therefor. If desired, a period of rest may be provided atthis time during which neither panel slide nor the cutting roll are inmotion. The selection of the relationship of parts as described willdepend upon the desired safety factor, the time consumed by the operatorin removing a finished panel slide and replacing the same, and the speedat which the mechanism is driven.

One of the primary advantages of the present machine resides in the factthat the padding material is exactly cut to a predetermined design andis applied directly to the panel board without being removed from thedie member so that the padding material is applied to the panel boardwith a degree of precision which would be impossible, were manual meansemployed.

Aside from the great accuracy resulting from the use of the presentmachine, which substan-.

cient period for the operator to remove one fin ished panel from-thepanel support and to replace the same with a second panel.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for cleamess ofunderstanding only, and no' unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly aspermissible in view of the prior art.

What I claim as myinvention is:

1. In the device described, a die, a cutter roll movable over said die,a sheet feeding means, and a plate support, driving means for actuatingsaid sheet feeding means to feed sheet material over said die, drivingmeans for moving said cutter roll over said die, and driving means foradvancing said plate support toward said die, all of said driving meansbeing operated in sequentially timed relation.

2. In the device described. a knife edged die. a roll movable over saiddie, a panel support movable toward and away from middle, a drivingpart, means for continuously rotat ng said part, a first rotatablemember having driving connection with said roll, a second rotatablemember having driving connection with said panel support, means forconnecting said part and said first rotatable member for a predeter- Imined rotation of said part to move said roll over said'die, and forthereafter disconnecting the same, and other means for connecting saidsecond rotatable means to said part for a successive rotation of thesame to move said panel support toward and away from said die.

3. In the device described, a knife edged die, a

tion of said part to move said roll over said die,

and for thereafter disconnecting the same, and other means forconnecting said second rotatable means to said part for a successiverotation of the same, to move said panel support toward and away fromsaid die said last recited means operative to cause successive rotationof saidrotatable,members and a successive interval of rest of saidrotatable members.

'4. In a device of the class described, a formsustaining supportcomprising separate recessed parts for supporting separate pieces ofsheet material, suction means for retaining certain pieces of saidmaterial within said support, means for elevating other pieces ofsaidmaterial at least partly out of said support, means for juxtaposingsaid support and an adhesive coated surface to apply said elevatedpieces to said surface, and means effective subsequently to eject saidremaining pieces from said support.

5. Inc, device of the character described, a cutting die, means forfeeding a length'of said material over said die, pneumatic meanseffective on said material, control means for said pneumatic means,means effective upon completion of the feeding operation to actuate saidcontrol means to apply suction to said material, compressing means forpressing said material against said die to cut said material intoseparate pieces, means for elevating some of said pieces at least partlyout of said die, a panel support for supporting an adhesive coatedpanel, actuating means for moving said panel support toward said die toengage the adhesive coated surface of said panel against said elevatedpieces,

. means operable in timed relation to movement of said support tooperate said control means to interrupt the suction, thereby releasingsaid elevated pieces for adhesion to said, panel, said actuating meansadapted to move said support away from said die, and meansoperable'after the initiation of said last mentioned motion foroperating said control means to apply pressure to eject the balance ofsaid cut material.

6,.The method of applying padding material to a panel, comprisingforcing said material into a desired pattern and for applying said cutpadding material to a surface in said pattern comprisinga die havingelevated knife edges defining a plurality ofseparated areas, means forpressing sheet material against said knife edges defining a plurality ofseparated areas, means for pressing sheet material against said die tocut the same into pieces corresponding to said areas, means carried bysaid die for elevating some of said pieces above said knife edges, saidlast means adapted to releasably support said elevated pieces inelevated position, means for thereafter juxtaposing said die and saidsurface 4 for applying said elevated pieces to said surface,

and means for releasing said elevated pieces from said die uponapplication to said surface.

9. A machine for cutting padding material'into 'a desired pattern andfor applying said out padding material to a surface in said patterncomprising a die having elevated knife edges defining a plurality ofseparated areas, means for press ing sheet material against said die tocut the same into pieces corresponding to said areas, suction meansretaining some of said pieces with- "-in said die, otherimeans forelevating some of said pieces above said die, and means forthere- .afterjuxtaposing said die and said surface for applying said elevated piecesto said surface.

10. A machine for cutting padding material into a desired pattern andfor applying said out padding material to a surface in said patterncomprising a. die having elevatedknife edges defining a plurality ofseparated areas, means for pressing sheet material against said dietOyCllt the same, .ineans retaining some of said cut pieces within saiddie, other means for elevating some of said pieces above said die andretaining the same against displacement from the said desired pattern inelevated position, and means for thereafter juxtaposing middle and saidsurface for applying said elevated piecesto said surface.

11. A machine for cutting padding material into a desired pattern andfor applyingv said out padding material to a surface in said patterncomprising a die having elevated knife edges de-'- fining a plurality ofseparated areas; meansfor pressing sheet material against said die tocut the same into pieces corresponding to said areas: said die includingmeans for retaining some of said pieces within said die, and other meansfor means for juxtaposing said die and 'said' surface to apply saidelevated'pieces to said surface, means effective thereupon to releasesaid elevated pieces from said die, said drive means adapted to separatesaid die and said surface, and means effective thereafter for ejecting-said remaining pieces.

12. In a device as described, a knife edge die adapted to cut aseparated piece from sheet material, a block of resilient materialwithin said die adapted to elevate said out piece at least partly fromsaid die, means comprising an air conduit opening on the exposed face ofsaid .into a plurality of separate pieces;

esteem block and connecting to a source of suction for retaining saidout piece in elevated position on said block, and a carrier for a memberhaving an adhesive coated surface movable toward said die to engage saidsurface with said elevated piece.

13. In a device of the class described a die having knife edges adaptedto cut sheet material resilient means effective to elevate at least onepiece above saidknife edges; pneumatic means adapted to applysuper-atmospheric, atmospheric, or subatmospheric pressure to all ofsaid pieces of cut material to retain said elevated piece against saidresilient means and to retain said non-elevated pieces in non-elevatedposition, to release all of said pieces, and to eject said non-elevatedpieces respectively; a carrier for a member having an I adhesive coatedsurface movable toward said die to engage said surface and said elevatedpiece, and movable away from said die; and control means for saidpneumatic means to apply subatmospheric pressure to said piecesafter'cutting, to a ply atmospheric pressure to said pieces when saidsurface engages said elevated piece to release said elevated piece foradherence to said surface, and to apply super-atmospheric pressure toeject the remaining pieces after said carrier moves away from said die.

14. A machine for cutting padding material into a desired pattern" andfor applying said out padding material to a surface in said patterncomprising a die having partitions dividing an area into adjacentseparate compartments adapted to receive material, means forelevatingmaterial in one of said compartments, pneumatic means operableon said material, means controlling said pneumatic means to applysuction, release suction and apply pressure to said material insuccession, and means for moving an adhesive coated panel toward saiddie into contact,

with said elevated material while said pneumatic means applies suction,and for moving said panel away from said pattern after suction has beenreleased, whereby said elevated material is adhesively applied inpattern form to said panel,

and the remainder of said material is ejectedv from said die by theapplication of pressure.

15. A machine having a recessed, knife edge die, a relatively movablesupport for. moving an adhesive coated panel toward and away from saiddie, a feeding support for sheet material adjacent one edge of said die,a roll normally adjacent said support, means for reciprocating said rollacross said die away from and-toward said feeding support in the ordernamed, connections intermediate said roll and said feeding support tofeed sheet material over said die as said roll moves away from saidfeeding support, and to interrupt the feed of said sheet material assaid elevating some of said pieces above said die'i and; f f'- rollmoves towardsaid support, and mean for retaining the same in elevatedposition,: moving saidsupportfirst toward 'andthenaway nectionsintermediatesaid roll and said feeding support to feed a predeterminedamount of sheet material over said die as said roll moves away from saidsupport, and to interrupt the feed of said sheet material as said rollmoves toward said support, and means for moving said support firsttoward and then away from said die.

1'7. Means for cutting padding material from a sheet into a pattern andapplying the cut padding material to a panel which comprises: a knifeedge die structure having knife edges arranged in a desired pattern andadapted to out said padding material into separate pieces, said diestructure including pressure means for pressing sheet padding materialagainst said knife edges to cut the same into separate pieces, said diestructure including means effective upon actuation of said pressuremeans to cause some of said pieces to project in one direction beyondsaid die structure and to prevent other of said pieces from soprojecting, a panel support adapted to position an adhesive coated panelin contact with said projecting pieces, and means for then separatingsaid panel support and die'structure.

18. Means for cutting padding material from a sheet into a pattern andapplying the cut padding material to a panel which comprises: a knifeedge die structure having knife edges arranged in a desired pattern andadapted to cut said padding material into separate pieces, said diestructure including pressure means for pressing sheet padding materialagainst said knife edges to cut the same into separate pieces, said diestructure including means effective upon actuation of said pressuremeans to cause some of said pieces to project in one direction beyondsaid die structure and to prevent other of said pieces from soprojecting, a panel support adapted to position an adhesive coated panelin contact with said projecting pieces, means for then separating saidpanel support and die structure, and means effective for dischargingsaid other pieces from said die structure.

19. Means for cutting padding material from a sheet into a pattern andapplying the cut padding material to a panel which comprises: a knifeedge die structure having knife edges arranged in a desired pattern andadapted to cut said padding material into separate pieces, said diestructure including pressure means for pressing sheet padding materialagainst said knife edges to cut the same into separate pieces, said diestructure including means effective on certain of said pieces to projectsaid certain areas at least partly beyond said knife edges, and toretain said certain pieces in projected position, a panel supportadapted to carry an adhesive coated panel, and means effective afterprojection of said certain pieces to first juxtapose said panel supportand die structure to apply said projected pieces to said panel, and thento separatesaid panel su port and die structure.

20. In a device of the class described, a die having upstanding knifeedges defining a plurality of recesses, feeding means for locating sheetmaterial over said knife edges, pressure means for forcing said sheetmaterial against said knife edges m as to cut said sheet material intopieces and to press said cut pieces into said recesses, meanscooperating with said die for moving some of said cut pieces outwardlyof said die so that they project beyond the surface of the knife edges,suction means for preventing such'outward movement of the other of saidcut pieces, and means for advancing a-panel into contact with saidoutwardly projecting pieces of sheet material.

21. A panel making machine comprising a frame, a flat recessed,knife-edged die carried by for intermittently actuating said sheetfeeding means to feed a length of sheet material downwardly over saiddie, severing means movable against the knife edges of said die to cutsaid sheet material into separate parts and to force them into therecesses in said die, aid die having means for moving some of said partsrelatively outwardly of said die, and a panel carrier movable on saidframe for advancing a panel carried thereby toward said die into contactwith the outwardly moved parts of said sheet material.

22. In a device of the character described, a knife edge die adapted tocut a separated piece from sheet material, resilient means in said diebeneath said piece adapted to elevate said cut piece at least partlyfrom said die, means for retaining said out piece in elevated position,and means for bringing an adhesive coated surface and said elevated cutpiece of sheet material into engagement.

23. In a device of the character described, a

knife edge die adapted to cut a separated piece from a sheet material,resilient means in said die beneath said piece adapted to elevate saidcut piece at least partly from said die, suction means for retainingsaid cut area in elevated position against lateral displacement, meansfor bringing an adhesive coated surface into engagement with saidelevated piece, and means efiective thereafter for interrupting thesuction to said suction means to release said piece for adherence tosaid adhesive coated surface.

24. A machine for cutting separate pieces of desired shape from sheetmaterial and for applying said pieces in a desired design to the surfaceof a backing sheet which comprises: a flat, recessed, knife edge die, aroller movable across said die, feeding means for advancing said sheetmaterial across said die, means for intermittently operating saidroller, means for intermittently operating said feeding means in timedrelation to operation of said roller, said die including means forholding certain of said pieces at least partly above the plane of theknife edges, a carrier for backing sheets movable toward and away fromsaid die, means for intermittently operating said carrier in timedrelation to operation of said feeding means and said roller operatingmeans, and control means effective to cause operation of said feedingmeans and roller to advance sheetmaterial over said die and to positionsaid roller for a cutting traverse, to move said roller in a cuttingtraverse, and to advance said carrier toward said die to applyingposition and to move said carrier away from said die, in the orderstated.

25. A machine for cutting separate pieces of desired shape from sheetmaterial and for ap-' plying said pieces in a desired design to thesurface of a backing sheet which comprises: a. flat, recessed, knifeedge die arranged substantially in a vertical plane, a roller movableacross said die, feeding means for advancing said sheet materialdownwardly across said die, means for intermitpieces, a carrier forbacking sheets movable toto operation of said feeding means and saidroller operating means, and control means effective to cause operationof said feeding means and roller to advance sheet material over said dieand to position said roller for a cutting traverse, to move said rollerin a cutting traverse, and to advance said carrier toward said die toapplying material over said die, a roller movable over said die incutting relation to the knife edges thereof, means in some of saidrecesses yieldable during the cutting operation to permit movement ofcut pieces of said sheet material into said recesses during the cuttingoperation and effective thereafter to move said pieces at least partlybeyond the plane of said knife edges, means effective thereafter foradvancing a backing sheet into contact with said pieces, and means forthereafter ejecting the remainder of said sheet material from the otherrecesses of said die.

- 27. A machine of the class described comprising a die having knifeedges defining separate recesses, sheet feeding means for feeding sheetmaterial over said die, a roller movable over said die in cuttingrelation to the knife edges thereof, means in some of said recessesyieldable during the cutting operation to permit movement of cut piecesof said sheet material into said recesses during the cutting operationand effective thereafter to move said pieces at least partly beyond theplane of said knife edges, means for applying a holding force to saidout pieces to preserve their arangement, means effective thereafter foradvancing a backing sheet into contact with said pieces, means forthereupon releasing said holding force, and means for thereafterejecting the remainderof said sheet material from the other recesses ofsaid die.

28. In combination, a die, a carrier movable toward and away from saiddie, sheet feeding -means adjacent one edge of said die, a cutting rolland carriage movable over said die toward and away from said feedingmeans, drive means for sequentially causing a reciprocation of saidcutting roll carriage over said die first away from and then toward saidsheet feeding means and then a reciprocation of said carrier firsttoward and then away from said die, and means for operating said sheetfeeding means during traverse of said cutting roll carriage away fromsaid sheet feeding means.

29. In combination, a die, a carrier movable toward and away from saiddie, sheet feeding means adjacent one edge of said die, a cutting rolland carriage movable over said die toward and away from said feedingmeans, drive means for sequentially causing a reciprocation of saidcutting roll carriage over said die first away from and then toward saidsheet feeding means and then a reciprocationof said carrier first towardand then away from said die, and means for operating said sheet feedingmeans during traverse of said cutting roll carriage away from said sheetfeeding means; said last recited means comprising means having a one-waymechanical driving connection with said cutting roll carriage.

30. A machine for cutting padding material into a desired pattern andfor applying said out padding material to a panel in said patterncomprising a knife 'e'dge, recessed die, a roll adapted totraverse saiddie, sheet feeding means adjacent said die, actuating means for causingsaid roll to traverse said die, means responsive to the traverse of saidroll to feed sheet material over said die behind said roll, saidactuating means being thereupon effective to cause said roll tore-traverse said die, cutting said sheet material against saiddie andforcing it into the recess, a panel support movable toward and away fromsaid die and means for moving said panel support toward said die andaway from said die during the interval between a cutting traverse ofsaid roll and a succeeding traverse of said roll.

31. In combination, a die, a carrier movable toward and away from saiddie, sheet feeding means adjacent one edge of said die, a cutting rolland carriage movable over said die toward and away from said feedingmeans, drive means for sequentially causing a reciprocation of saidcutting roll carriage over said die first away from and then toward saidsheet feeding means and then a reciprocation of said carrier firsttoward and then away from said die, and means for operating said sheetfeeding means intermittently between consecutive traverses of saidcutting roll carriage toward said sheet feeding means.

CLARENCE J. DAVIES.

